Part of the problem is the lack of all wheel drive but the main problem seems to be the weight. 4,533 pounds... ouch. The Audi S7 even with its all wheel drive system is about 100 pounds lighter. The X-Drive version of the 650i Gran Coupe balloons to an absurd SUV like 4670 pounds. Efficient Dynamics are at work where again?
Both the Audi S7 and the Mercedes-Benz CLS550 are quicker and faster than the 650i. Both are lighter and even the 4Matic Mercedes-Benz CLS550 is lighter than the rear wheel drive BMW 650i by about 200 pounds. It isn't just Mercedes building lighter and faster cars than BMW, Audi is too, and both of them are even doing it with all wheel drive. Mercedes-Benz doing it with both rear and all wheel options. Something just isn't right in Bavaria.
Vehicle: 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe
Odometer: 1,517
Date: 1/29/13
Driver: Chris Walton
Price: $88,095
Specifications:
Drive Type: Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Transmission Type: Eight-speed automatic
Engine Type: Twin-turbocharged direct-injected V8, gasoline
Displacement (cc/cu-in): 4,395/268
Redline (rpm): 7,000
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 445 @ 5,500
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 480 @ 5,500
Brake Type (front): 13.7-inch ventilated discs with sliding calipers
Brake Type (rear): 13.6-inch ventilated discs with sliding calipers
Suspension Type (front): Independent multilink, coil springs, self-adjusting variable dampers, lower control arms, self-adjusting active stabilizer bar
Suspension Type (rear): Independent multilink, coil springs, self-adjusting variable dampers, self-adjusting active stabilizer bar
Tire Size (front): 245/35ZR20 (95Y)
Tire Size (rear): 275/30ZR20 (97Y)
Tire Brand: Dunlop
Tire Model: SP Sport Maxx GT
Tire Type: Asymmetrical summer performance run-flat
As Tested Curb Weight (lb): 4,535
Test Results:
Acceleration
0-30 (sec): 2.3 (2.7 w/ TC on)
0-45 (sec): 3.6 (4.1 w/ TC on)
0-60 (sec): 5.2 (5.8 w/ TC on)
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 4.8 (5.3 w/ TC on)
0-75 (sec): 7.0 (7.6 w/ TC on)
1/4-Mile (sec @ mph): 13.1 @ 109.4 (13.5 @ 108.7 w/ TC on)
Braking
30-0 (ft): 29
60-0 (ft): 114
Handling
Slalom (mph): 66.3 (65.2 w/TC on)
Skid Pad Lateral Acceleration (g): 0.88 (0.85 w/TC on)
Db @ Idle: 40.0
Db @ Full Throttle: 71.1
Db @ 70-mph Cruise: 60.0
RPM @ 70: 1,650
Comments:
Acceleration: Default mode (Comf/Drive) hesitates slightly from a dead stop. Each successive mode makes the car slightly quicker (Sport, Sport+ and DS) but launch delay persists regardless. The time gap between slowest and fastest 0-60 is significant, about a half-second in total. The traction control is effective, but it has a short leash. Once underway, the power builds quickly and carries all the way to the 7,000-rpm redline. I "beat" traction control with a two-footed non-wheelspin launch with Trac off. There's ample cooling as trap speeds remained steady. Upshifts are both fast and smooth, as are matched-rev downshifts. In manual mode, it will allow the engine to bounce off the rev limiter.
Braking: Given that the 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe weighs 4,535 pounds, a 114-foot stop from 60 mph is impressive. Distances grew to just 121 feet after four more stops. The pedal remained firm and effective regardless and the car stopped flat and straight.
Handling:
Skid pad: With Comf mode selected, the Gran Coupe felt heavy and reluctant to probe its grip limits. The throttle would close just shy of the tires howling. The steering feels unnecessarily heavy, too. In Sport+ mode, the car felt less ponderous and it was difficult to detect any ESC intrusion at all, and the results show a measurable improvement.
Slalom: In Comf mode, there's plenty of grip and less body roll than expected. The ESC intrusion is subtle and short-lived and likely keeps the rear from sliding. In Sport+ (with dynamic traction control), the performance envelope is noticeably larger and the stance firmer and more confident. ESC was barely detectable unless I got it really wrong. In either mode, the active-steering option is very disconcerting and doesn't offer expected seat-of-the-pants response.
| 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe | 2013 BMW 640i Gran Coupe | |
| Curb weight as tested: | 4,535 | 4,292 |
| 0-30 (sec.): | 2.3 | 2.1 |
| 0-45 (sec.): | 3.6 | 3.6 |
| 0-60 (sec.): | 5.2 | 5.7 |
| 0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec.): | 4.8 | 5.4 |
| 0-75 (sec.): | 7.0 | 8.6 |
| 1/4-mile (sec @ mph): | 13.1 @ 109.4 | 14.2 @ 95.0 |
| 30-0 (ft): | 29 | 27 |
| 60-0 (ft): | 114 | 110 |
| Skid Pad Lateral Accel (g): | 0.88 | 0.87 |
| Slalom: | 66.3 | 64.9 |
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